On Thursday, Kaja Karas, the European Union’s chief diplomat, emphasized that the EU ought not to “humiliate” itself by entering direct negotiations with Russia to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
Karas shared her thoughts with reporters following a two-day meeting of the Nordic-Baltic Group of Eight (NB8) in Kuressaare, Estonia. Discussions during the meeting covered various topics, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and other pertinent security matters in Europe.
When questioned about the possibility that Europe and other nations, like the United States, might face worse terms in negotiations with Russia if Europe refrains from engaging, Karas stated that, as it stands, Russia “doesn’t want any kind of dialogue.” Hence, the EU should avoid “humiliating” itself by essentially asking, “Please come and talk to us.”
She suggested instead that Europe should position Russia to shift “from pretending to negotiating to actually negotiating.”
Karas mentioned, “This is why we will be meeting in Cyprus with EU foreign ministers to discuss what we perceive as the situation and what requirements we will have of Russia after this war concludes, ensuring that Russia does not pose a threat to these nations or Europe as a whole.” This, she noted, is the crux of the issue.
Karas claimed that the NB8 group, which includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden, is Ukraine’s “strongest supporter.” She asserted that the bloc’s backing has pushed Russia into a stalemate, according to EU diplomats. Furthermore, she pointed out that the EU’s 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine and the latest round of sanctions against Russia should signal to President Vladimir Putin that “his war will lead nowhere.”
“We value Ukraine more than we value Russia,” Karas said firmly.
When asked about President Donald Trump’s recent phone conversation with President Putin and whether the discussions on Ukraine are “at a kind of standstill,” Karas acknowledged that the negotiations are essentially stalled, with “nothing” transpiring in that regard.
“It’s true that these calls between Trump and Putin always leave many questions unanswered, especially with Russia openly commending Iran’s resistance against the United States,” Karas observed.
She further remarked, “If Russia is backing a war with Iran, does that mean there’s increased pressure on Russia? We’re looking to see that pressure manifest, but we didn’t observe it during that call.”
On the matter of the Iran conflict, Karas expressed skepticism about a quick resolution in the Strait of Hormuz. She noted that the EU had agreed to extend sanctions against Iran regarding the blockade, adding that EU naval operations might need to take on a “greater role” in restoring maritime energy and trade routes.
“We must address Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, as well as its support for terrorist organizations in the region and beyond. These issues cannot be sidelined,” Karas insisted.
The NB8 meeting in Estonia concluded with a joint agreement from all eight nations—Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden. This statement reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s “irreversible” path towards full membership in both the European Union and NATO.
The group underscored that Russia remains the “most serious” threat to Euro-Atlantic security, calling for decisive and coordinated actions to counter it, in addition to sanctions and various measures. They also advocated for further international isolation of Russia, including in the realms of sports and culture.
